This Beca-led project is breathing new life into drought-stricken Bendigo by recycling wastewater from the Bendigo Water Reclamation Plant for rural and environmental use.
Much-needed water is now being pumped through the Epsom to Spring Gully pipeline at Bendigo following completion of the vital Epsom Spring Gully Recycled Water Project.
The project was a collaboration between Coliban Water, the local water authority, and Beca as engineering, planning and project management consultant. Completion was originally planned for 2009, but record low water storage levels and the continuing drought brought the first stage completion date forward to 2007.
The design concept involved adding further process steps to the tertiary treated effluent from the existing Bendio wastewater treatment plant, which would provide up to 4,300 ML/year of Class A+ recycled water for rural supplies, irrigation of parks and sporting facilities, industrial and commercial users. By recycling the water an equivalent amount of catchment water is freed up for potable use.
Coliban Water and Beca collaborated closely to achieve the project’s ambitious timeframe of 12 months from initiation to the opening of the pipeline. Design, approvals and procurement processes ran in parallel, with rigorous project management playing a central role.
It was imperative that speed did not compromise water quality. Beca considered a range of water treatment options to determine a solution that would meet all health and environmental requirements.
By recycling its wastewater to generate ‘new’ water, the Epsom Spring Gully Recycled Water Project is now providing Bendigo with a more secure water source, at the same time demonstrating to other Australian cities how creative, sustainable solutions can be found to address declining water reserves.
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